Ziggo/UPC merger should be handled domestically ACM says

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has revealed that it feels a regulatory investigation into the proposed merger between cable operators Ziggo and UPC Nederland should be handled domestically, with no need for the European Commission (EC) to become involved. The watchdog says that while the merger will have an affect on competition and does warrant further scrutiny, the deal is national in scope rather than international, so should be handled by domestic bodies such as the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) and the Dutch telecom regulator OPTA.

As reported earlier this year, UK-based international cable TV and broadband group Liberty Global has agreed to acquire the remainder of Ziggo for EUR6.9 billion (USD9.44 billion) in a cash and shares transaction. Liberty Global, which already owns 28.5% of Ziggo, plans to merge the operator with its existing Dutch cable business UPC, creating a firm which will have more than four million customers and networks passing over 90% of all homes in the Netherlands.